"We respond this way, and it means we respect ourselves and our country,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The Angara launch is a proper response to the Western sanctions and confirmation of Russia’s ability to make new achievements, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.

It opens a way for Russia in space exploration, he said. “The heavy Angara A5 blasted off today. It will allow our country to firmly fix our position, it is clear for everybody, as a high-technological country, able to make new achievements in such a difficult and dangerous area as space exploration,” Rogozin told a meeting on Tuesday, commenting on the successful launch of a new Russian rocket.

"A very important page is turned in the development of technologies. A new rocket is developed under new conditions," he said, adding: “It is great joy for all of us. In the difficult time it will be our best response to sanctions and to unprecedented external financial, economic and political pressure on our country,” he said.

"We respond this way, and it means we respect ourselves and our country,” he added.

Rogozin congratulated everyone who directly participated in the development and the first tests of the Angara. "It is not an affair of only the space industrial sector, but it is an affair of our great country,” the vice-premier said.